GOVERNMENT plans for flexible working sparked a new row with the unions today, hours after a summit with Tony Blair.

Mr Blair sought to reassure union bosses about plans for some privatisation in the public services. While TUC general secretary John Monks said the meeting had cleared the air, the GMB's John Edmonds said they were still on collision course with ministers.

As part of plans for family-friendly employment policies, the government is considering allowing workers with families to ask for flexible hours or part-time working.

But Bill Morris, boss of the transport workers' union, said Labour had promised statutory right to flexible hours. The government now intended only to give workers the right to ask for flexible working.

He said: ''That's not enough because the government has not addressed what happens when the employer says no.''

Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt hit back, denying that they had watered down the plan after pressure from employers.

''You can't impose one kind of flexibility on all businesses. '' she said.